When you are considering organ and tissue donation pros and cons, listen to the voices of donors, recipients, and family members. Whether you are thinking about becoming a whole body donor or an organ or tissue donor, learn how the decisions of others changed lives.

Ari Patel was just three years old when he passed away. Parents Jay and Suna made sure his organs could help others. “We did not want another family to suffer losing their child or loved one,” said Jay. Donating seven organs helped save the lives of two other children.

“Momma never met a stranger and always wanted to contribute to make things better for someone else,” said Michele about her mother’s decision to become a whole body donor. “She was excited to learn [that] even with her cancer, she could contribute and help someone after her passing.”

“The real heroes are the donor families,” said Amelia, who waited four and a half years on the waiting list for a donor’s liver, putting her education on hold. “My donor family turned their tragedy into a blessing. I’m forever grateful.”

“I retired from 30 years of teaching in 2012. I have one more thing left to offer to education once I pass away. Donating myself will be my last teachable moment in the world,” said Patti. “I am praying that something positive will result from my tissue, organ, and body donation. Helping others is what I have made a career of and people of all ages can benefit from my gift.”

Whole Body, Organ, and Tissue Donors

In the U.S., someone goes on the national transplant waiting list every eight minutes. At any one time, more than 100,000 people are waiting for life-saving organ transplants.

While less known, there is also a critical need for human tissue and body donations for medical science. Body donations help medical students learn about human anatomy and practice surgical procedures. Researchers test medical devices and drug therapies. Doctors and scientists look for new treatments and ways to create better patient outcomes.

“Being able to learn and practice on human tissue made me a better doctor, without a doubt,” said John.  “I am so grateful to the donors who helped me become one of the best surgeons in my field.”

Whole body donation helps create better doctors and improve the quality of care for generations to come. These noble acts have a profound impact on recipients and the donor families, who take comfort in knowing that some good can come from the passing of a loved one.

Organ donation makes lifesaving transplants possible.

When Brandy Miller died suddenly, her family chose to donate her organs. “We saw it as a way for our sister to live on,” said Michelle Miller. “Donating Brandy’s organs helped make something good happen from an awful situation,” said her cousin Aireanne Small, an RN who cares for patients waiting for liver transplants.

These stories serve as powerful reminders of how becoming a whole body, organ, or tissue donor can impact lives. Keep them in mind as you consider organ and tissue donation pros and cons. While the passing of a loved one is an emotional time, knowing that you are helping others can be comforting.

Several months after making their donation, the Millers received an emotional letter from one of the recipients of their sister’s organs. “It filled our hearts and reminded us that we did the right thing,” said Jordan Miller.

Become an Organ Donor

If you would like to register to become an organ donor in Florida, visit DonateLifeFlorida.org/Register or sign up when you renew your driver’s license.

You can be both an organ donor and a whole body donor.

Become a Whole Body Donor

To become a whole body donor in Florida, register at United Tissue Network. UTN is a nonprofit organization that coordinates body donations in the state and is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) to uphold the highest ethical standards.

UTN handles the arrangements at the time of death and covers all of the costs of transportation, placement with a reputable medical research or educational facility, and cremation of the deceased when research has been completed.

If you would like to learn more about the whole body donation process, call one of our Donor Coordinators at Tissue Network at (877) 738-6111.